Followingthe massive prison escape in Nepal, several captured offenders have given up and surrendered
In the heart of Nepal, the capital city of Kathmandu, chaos reigned last week as prisons were breached, leading to the unexpected release of inmates, and youth-led protests continued to fuel the city with anger and unrest.
Amidst the turmoil, Poornima Gopali, a 29-year-old resident, expressed a poignant desire for change, stating, "Things must change - because if not now then when?" as her brother Som returned behind bars. Som, a 40-year-old inmate serving a five-year sentence for assault, surrendered at Nakhu prison.
The chaos resulted in at least 73 deaths and the collapse of security across the capital. Inmates, including the 46-year-old convicted smuggler identified as Rai, streamed out of fire-damaged jails nationwide during the mayhem. Rai unexpectedly appeared at his relatives' home in Kathmandu during the chaos, having surrendered himself at the gates of Nakhu prison, stating that there were no police and the gate was open.
Many of the fugitives still on the run include hardened criminals, as well as those convicted of lesser offenses or near the end of their sentences. More than a third of the fugitives, approximately 5,000 out of 13,500, have been recaptured by the police. Some of the fugitives were caught by Indian security forces as they tried to cross the border.
The unrest was sparked by a short-lived ban on social media, and it is fueled by anger at corruption and long-standing economic woes. The World Bank reported that 82 percent of Nepal's workforce is in informal employment, with a GDP per capita of $1,447.
Community volunteers have been providing donated mattresses, blankets, and utensils to Nakhu prison, as families outside the prison gate expressed hope that Nepal's new interim government would improve conditions. Preeti Yonjan, Som Gopali's sister, expressed anguish at her relative's return behind bars after a brief taste of freedom.
Savyata Bhakti, a local volunteer, mentioned that Nakhu prison still bears the scars of the unrest, with burnt soot and slogans of youth protesters on the walls. Aran, whose 23-year-old son Sevak surrendered, stated that his son fled to escape the violence inside prison. Aran also expressed a desire for his son to return home through a proper legal process.
As the unrest continues, the people of Nepal hold onto hope for change and a brighter future. The youth-led protests, fuelled by a desire for a corruption-free society and economic stability, show no signs of abating, and the new interim government faces a daunting task in restoring order and addressing the deep-seated issues that have plagued the nation for years.
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